A friend once asked if I wanted one of his banana trees and I declined. I thought of bananas as hard to control and, frankly, ratty looking. I didnít want that in my garden. Then one day I went to a tropical plant show and sale and I saw an ornamental banana. I thought it was charming and brought it home for my garden.

My attitude changed over night and, with only a little care, I maintain my bananas in top shape. In season, they have blooms that last for weeks both on the tree and cut from it. The leaves are occasionally ripped but a little grooming goes a long way. Any leaves I prune off are quickly replaced with brand new ones.